Career
Mirza gives online lectures on religious issues via his YouTube channel and runs a research academy based on his understanding of the Quran and Sunnah. [5] [7] His critics claim that he uses derogatory terms for the Muslim saints. [7]
In one video, Mirza considers the present-day Ahmadis to be better than Jews and Christians (the people of the book). [7] He also said they are not Muslims and said that his video clips have been presented out of context. [9]
2020 arrest
He was arrested on 4 May 2020 on suspicion of hate speech directed at religious scholars. [5] [10] Pakistani actor Hamza Ali Abbasi and anchor Shafaat Ali posted on social media condemning his arrest. [5] He was released on bail two days later. [11] According to Ali, one of his lectures was presented completely out of context. [5] He later said that if one starts presenting other opinions in such a way then even the verses of the Qur'an can be presented out of context. [2]
2025 arrest
On 25 August 2025, Mirza was detained by Jhelum police under Section 3 of the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order ordinance, which allows police to make arrests and detain suspects on "acting in any manner prejudicial to public safety” or to maintain public order. [12] [13] Authorities also locked his academy in Machine Mohalla, barring any gatherings or activities on the premises. [14] [15] He has been charged under Pakistan's blasphemy law with outraging religious feelings, wounding religious sentiments, and making derogatory remarks against the companions or family of the Prophet Muhammad. [16] Mirza was later transferred from District Jail Jhelum to District Jail Hafizabad as a precautionary measure. [16]
Assassination attempts
On 14 March 2021, Mirza survived a second assassination attempt, after surviving first attempt in October 2017. [3] [17] The attacker visited his academy in Jhelum, Pakistan at a weekly meeting and attempted to kill him with a knife while taking a picture with him. Ali escaped with minor arm injuries. [17] Police arrested two suspects and registered an FIR against them. The attacker had traveled from Lahore to Jhelum to kill Mirza. [2] [18] [19]
In August 2023, Ali Hasan, from Gujrat, attempted to barge into the Jhelum Academy armed with a knife. He was overpowered by guards and other members of the academy. [20] [21]
Controversies
Mirza's views on Mu'awiya I, the first caliph of the Umayyad Caliphate, had made him a controversial figure among the traditionalist Sunni Muslim scholars of Pakistan. He has had a long rivalry with Deobandi scholar Tariq Masood over Mu'awiya. Mirza challenged Masood to arrive in Jhelum and have a debate face to face. In May 2021, the debate was postponed since Masood didn't come in. [22] After many months, Masood finally accepted the challenge and went to Jhelum for the debate. [23] However, Masood claimed that he had tried to make contacts with Mirza, but there was no answer. [23] Masood claimed that he took a very long journey from Karachi to Jhelum for discussion. [23] As a result, Mufti Tariq Masood declared victory against Muhammad Ali Mirza and numerous netizens/social media users called the drop scene of this whole saga as Mirza's defeat. [23]
In November 2023, Mirza and Barelvi scholar Mufti Hanif Qureshi were scheduled to have a munazra (face-to-face debate). On 26 November, Qureshi arrived in Jhelum and went outside of the Mirza's Academy in Jhelum, however, he was allowed to inside but recording gears were restricted by security for various security concerns, meanwhile Qureshi didn't enter the academy. Mirza then declined to have a munazra. Qureshi subsequently then left Jhelum and self claimed himself victorious [24]
In June 2022, Ali Mirza criticized Taslim Rehmani for badmouthing Hindu gods in front of BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma on Times Now. He said Nupur Sharma abused Muhammad in reaction to that. [25] Indian journalist Rubika Liaquat praised Ali Mirza for his stand with Nupur Sharma on her Twitter account. Many Indian and Pakistani scholars were furious with Ali Mirza for this comment. [26]
2023 blasphemy charges
In April 2023, a case of blasphemy was registered against Ali Mirza under section 295C of the Pakistan Penal Code. The accusations against Mirza include insulting Islamic Prophet Muhammad and downplaying the Pakistani legal ruling that considers Ahmadis to have non-Muslim status. [27] His critics claim that he uses derogatory language when referring to Muslim saints and present clips from his lectures to support their arguments. Pir Afzal Qadri, a deceased religious cleric, had offered a reward of Rs.500,000 for the assassination of Ali Mirza in 2023, stating that he deserves to be killed. [9]
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